Monday, April 9, 2012

Defense News:DTN News - LAAD SECURITY 2012: Oshkosh Defense Exhibits Protected Vehicle Capabilities At LAAD Security*Protected, highly maneuverable SandCat TPV on display April 10-12 in Rio de JaneiroSource: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Oshkosh Defense(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 9, 2012: Personnel protection in Latin America is an increasing concern for corporate, municipal, federal and other government forces. Security and safety professionals will have an opportunity this week to learn more about the protected vehicle offerings from Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), at the LAAD Security 2012 exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 10-12.

Oshkosh will display its SandCat Tactical Protector Vehicle (TPV) at the show. The SandCat TPV combines the agility and drivability of a consumer truck with the protection capabilities of a tactical military vehicle.“Our SandCat TPV is a highly customizable vehicle designed for public safety officials needing to increase their protective detail for special events such as the FIFA World Cup™ and the Olympic Games, as well as provide critical support needed for daily patrols in urban environments or off-road terrain,” said Serge Buchakjian, senior vice president and general manager of International Programs for Oshkosh Defense. “We back our vehicles and products with full life-cycle sustainment and support services anywhere in the world.”Oshkosh Defense has more than 90 years of experience designing, manufacturing and sustaining world-class vehicles for governments and militaries around the world. Oshkosh uses a collaborative, integrated approach to meet customers’ needs, from vehicle design and flexible manufacturing to training and aftermarket sustainment. Oshkosh can also provide in-country manufacturing capabilities to provide lasting value to local economies. The company has produced more than 100,000 military-class trucks and trailers, with vehicle payloads that cover the complete light-to-heavy spectrum.Oshkosh vehicles have been proven on severe off-road terrain and against a variety of modern threats, and used by militaries, special forces units and government agencies around the world. Oshkosh’s advanced technologies deliver capabilities such as extensive off-road mobility, exportable power, autonomous operation and integrated on-board diagnostics.Oshkosh’s aftermarket solutions cover the complete spectrum of vehicle life-cycle support, including training services, instruction manuals, maintenance and repairs, parts supply, and fleet restoration services. Oshkosh Field Service Representatives (FSR) travel globally to ensure vehicles and personnel are at peak operational readiness. The company’s robust operator and maintenance training services provide systems-level expertise on the platforms and technologies they support, with classes offered at the Oshkosh Product Training Center, regional service centers around the world or in-theater. Additionally, Oshkosh’s parts-supply network is available around the clock to provide instant access to spare and repair parts for all vehicle makes and models.The SandCat TPV is part of the Oshkosh SandCat family of vehicles and can be configured to meet individual performance, protection and payload needs. The vehicle’s armor system can be customized based on the threat level and mission profile. Seating capacity can be adjusted to accommodate four to nine passengers. The vehicle also can be equipped with standard or customized storage, and is typically integrated with a wide array of weapons and communications systems. The SandCat TPV’s compact design, combined with a 14-inch vertical step capability and 42-foot curb-to-curb turning circle, enables mobility in both tight urban settings and rugged rural landscapes.The SandCat family of vehicles also includes the base vehicle, Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) and Mine-Resistant Light Patrol Vehicle (M-LPV). These variants are based on the same lightweight, highly maneuverable platform for eased maintenance and repairs worldwide. Oshkosh has received orders for the SandCat from Mexico, the United States, Sweden, Bulgaria, Canada, Nigeria and Israel.Oshkosh Defense leadership will be available at LAAD Security to discuss the company’s full range of vehicle and service offerings at booth #J19.About Oshkosh DefenseOshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation, is an industry-leading global designer and manufacturer of tactical military trucks and armored wheeled vehicles, delivering a full product line of conventional and hybrid vehicles, advanced armor options, proprietary suspensions and vehicles with payloads that can exceed 70 tons. Oshkosh Defense provides a global service and supply network including full life-cycle support and remanufacturing, and its vehicles are recognized the world over for superior performance, reliability and protection. For more information, visit www.oshkoshdefense.com.About Oshkosh CorporationOshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visitwww.oshkoshcorporation.com.®, TM All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the expected level and timing of the DoD’s procurement of products and services and funding thereof, including the impact of the DoD’s allocation of certain tires which will restrict and delay certain FHTV sales; risks related to reductions in government expenditures in light of U.S. defense budget pressures and an uncertain DoD tactical wheeled vehicle strategy; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, especially during periods of global economic uncertainty, lower municipal spending and tight credit markets; the Company’s ability to produce vehicles under the FMTV contract at targeted margins; the duration of the ongoing global economic weakness, which could lead to additional impairment charges related to many of the Company’s intangible assets and/or a slower recovery in the Company’s cyclical businesses than equity market expectations; the potential for the U.S. government to competitively bid the Company’s Army and Marine Corps contracts; the consequences of financial leverage, which could limit the Company’s ability to pursue various opportunities; increasing commodity and other raw material costs, particularly in a sustained economic recovery; the ability to pass on to customers price increases to offset higher input costs; risks related to costs and charges as a result of facilities consolidation and alignment, including that anticipated cost savings may not be achieved; risks related to the collectability of receivables, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; the cost of any warranty campaigns related to the Company’s products; risks related to production or shipment delays arising from quality or production issues; risks associated with international operations and sales, including foreign currency fluctuations and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; the potential for increased costs relating to compliance with changes in laws and regulations; risks related to disruptions in the Company’s distribution networks; risks related to actions of activist shareholders; and the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this press release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

Auditor general Michael Ferguson published his debut report last week, indicated the stealth fighter jets would cost $25 billion -- not $15 billion as indicated by the federal government.But in an interview with CTV's Question Period, MacKay blamed accounting issues for a $10 billion gap between the government's account of F-35 costs and the auditor general's projections."The $10 billion is money we are paying right now," MacKay said. "That is the money that goes to pay the pilots of the F-18 program and fuel, oil, upkeep of the existing fleet."MacKay said he knew the full estimated cost of the jets in 2010 but insists Canadians were not misled."We have included that figure in estimates and information provided to the auditor general and that information goes back to 2010. Those figures are there for all to see," he said. "I don't agree that there was a manipulation of information."Opposition parties disagree."We're talking about mismanagement here as well as dishonesty," NDP defence critic Jack Harris said on the same Sunday broadcast.MacKay said the government and the auditor general worked from different timelines, causing the confusion.The auditor general and a parliamentary budget officer used a 36-year model for their evaluations of the fighter jet program, but the Department of National Defence used a 20-year period.The F-35s are expected to have a 36-year lifespan.The government hasn't signed a contract with F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin, but it has penned a memorandum of understanding (MOU). If the government decided to change course, penalties would be attached."There are obligations under the MOU and by that I mean there would be consequences for withdrawing from it," MacKay said.The minister indicated the government has accepted the auditor general's conclusions but he doesn't plan to offer his resignation over the controversy.Kristy.Kirkup@sunmedia.ca